6 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

DAVIS 


CALIFOftNiA 

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LIBRARY 

DOCUMENTS  DEPT. 


COMPLIMENTS  OF 

LEWIS  I AUBURY 

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LIBRARY 

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RELIEF  MAP  OF 


N.   F.   DRAKE 

Department  of  Geology, 
Stanford  University. 

Accompanying  Bulletin  No.  45 

THE  AURIfEROUS  BLACK  SANDS 
Of  CALIfORNIA 

Issued  b;  the 

CALIfORNIA  STATE  MINING  BURE4 

LEWIS  E.  AUBURY 

State   Mineralogist 
1  907 


BULLETIN  No.  45  SAN  FRANCISCO,  APRIL,  1907 


THE  AURIFEROUS  BLACK  SANDS 


OF  CALIFORNIA        „„„„. 

STATE 

LIBRARY 

DOCUFAENTS  DEPT. 


ISSUED  BY 


THE  STATE  MINING  BUREAU 


FERRY  BUILDING,  SAN  FRANCISCO 


UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF 


LEWIS  E.  AUBURY,       -       -       STATE  MINERALOGIST 


SACRAMENTO 
W.  W.  SHANNON        -        -  ....        SUPERINTENDENT  STATE  PRINTING 

1907 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
HANTS 


LLTTLR  OF  TRANSMITTAL. 


it)   II  (in.  J.   A.   (illUtt,   (ion  nmr  nf   ('iiliftiniid.  ami   hi   tin    Jhnioidhh 
Undid  of   7'ntst((s  of  till    Shih    Minimi   I'linnii. 

(tENTLEmex:  I  have  tilt'  lidiKif  to  trjiiisiiiit  liulU'tiii  NO.  4.').  "The 
Auriferous  BljK'k  Siiiuls  of  California."  a  paniplilet  dealing;  generally 
with  the  lilaek  sand  tjuestiou. 

As  many  in(|uiries  have  heen  rooeivod  at  tlie  Bureau  concerning  this 
subject.  1  have  deemed  it  advisal)le  to  furnish  to  tiie  public  a  brief 
statement  of  the  conditions  as  found,  and  to  correct  man>  wrong 
impressions  which  have  been  formed  concerning  llic  black  sands  of 
California. 

I  wish  to  extend  the  thanks  (tf  this  departiiiciit  to  .Mr.  .1.  .\. 
Edniaii.  K.M..  fur  his  kind  assistance  in  i>reparing  this  bulletin. 
.Mr.  Mdman  has  given  many  years'  study  to  the  subject  of  black  sand 
investigation  in  California,  and  has  allowed  the  Bureau  the  benefit 
of  his  conclusions. 

\'ery  respectfull.w 

T.KWTS    K.    .MlUiiV. 

State   Mineralogist. 

S.vx  Fr.vxcisco,  April  .").  10(17. 


i 


THL  AURIFLROU5  BLACK  SANDS 
OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Hv  J.  A.  KI>MAX,  K.  M. 


Tin-  periodicjilly  in.-fiin-iiiL;-  i»ull)ri';ik.s  (if  [Kipuhir  rxcitciiu'iil  in 
reference  In  new  discoveries  or  re-discoveries  of  auriferous  material 
have,  at  various  times,  hccu  dirceted  towiiiil  llic  jk'Iii.iI  oi'  jiiiaLiiiiai'v 
values  of  the  heavy  sands  derived  from  j,'old-hearin»r  frravel  deposits, 
and  j,'enerally  known  as  lilack  sands.  l)y  reason  of  llif  preponderance 
of  dark-colored  iron  iiiinn-als  amonj;  them. 

The  first  ami  most  n()tal)le  popular  excitement  of  this  kind  occurred 
in  April.  IHol.  about  the  heacli  deposits  at  Gold  Bluff,  llumlioldt 
County,  and  led  to  (piitc  a  rush  of  San  Franciscans  to  that  liM-;ility.  ;dl 
ea«;er  to  leather  the  y:()lden  sands  of  fabulous  riclmess.  whieii.  huwever, 
proved  limited  in  extent  and  ephemeral  in  their  n;ilni'e. 

Seven  years  lalei'.  twenty-live  tliousand  Californians  rushed  |>recip- 
itatelx  to  the  jowei-  Fi'aser  River,  in  British  Columbia,  to  si^'k  wealth 
in  somewhat  related  .deposits  of  recent  river  p:ravels — a  .search  wiiich 
result«'(l  disastrously  to  many,  and  led  to  the  return  of  most  of  tlie 
California  prospectoi-s  durinjj:  1859. 

Since  that  time  the  black  sands  rested  in  ob.scurity.  except  in  isolated 
instances,  when  feeble  attempts  were  made  to  extract  the  metallic 
values  from  various  beach  deposits  alonj;  the  coast  of  Califoi-nia  and 
southern  Ore^'on.  until  1893,  when  public  attention  was  ajrain  directed 
t(<  the  f;old-bearin<r  beach  sands,  as  capable  of  rmnishin^  a  sup|)ly  of 
economically  valuable  iron  ore,  aside  from  their  values  in  ^old  nnd 
platinum. 

The  fallaey  of  this  expectation  was  clearly  shown  durinj;  the  dis- 
cussion that  followed,  but  attention  was  thereby  directed  to  the  gold 
values  present  in  the  tailin<rs  from  the  extensive  placer,  drift,  and 
hydraulic  mines  operating  in  the  ancient  and  recent  auriferous  gravels 
of  California,  and  which  in  their  concentrated  form  carried  values  in 
association  with  the  black  sands. 

Lacking  the  element  of  novelty  and  speculation,  pid)lic  attention  was 
not  again  directed  to  the  subject  until  in  1899  Dr.  David  T.  Day.  of 
the  United  States  Geological  Survey,  visited  California  and  southern 
Oregon    to    investigate    the    occurrence    of    platinum    and    its    related 


6  THE  AURIFEROUS  BLACK  SANDS  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

metals.  chieHy  on  the  beaches  and  in  the  stream  gravels  of  northern 
California.  This  a^'ain  called  attention  to  the  V)lack  sands,  although 
no  attempt  was  then  made  to  ascertain  their  jrold  value. 

The  results  of  this  investigation  were  scarcely  mentioned  by  the 
public  i)ress.  but  were  briefly  referred  to  in  Volume  XXX.  pages 
702-708,  of  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining 
Engineers. 

]\Ieanwhile  the  constantly  iiu-reasing  scarcity  of  platinum,  due  to 
its  enormously  extended  consumption,  led  to  efforts  to  exploit  the 
known  occurrences  of  that  metal  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  Dr.  David  T. 
Day  was  again  placed  in  charge  of  a  laboratory  establislied  by  the 
(Geological  Survey,  at  the  Lewis  and  Clark  E.xposition  in  Portland, 
under  a  liberal  appropriation  made  for  the  purpose,  the  object  of  which 
was  to  examine  and  report  exhaustivclx  ui)on  the  black  sands  of  the 
Pacific  Coast.  Numerous  samples  of  the  heavy  sands  from  the  mines 
of  the  Western  States  were  collected  and  tested  in  the  la])oratory  men- 
tioned, and  some  of  the  results  have  reached  the  public  through  press 
reports,  apparently  einanating  from  the  chief  of  the  laboratory. 

Some  results  obtained  from  California  sands  were  also  published 
in  Bulletin  No.  38.  "Structural  and  Industrial  Materials  of  Cali- 
fornia," of  the  California  State  Mining  Bureau. 

The  official  report  of  these  investigations  made  l)y  Dr.  David  T.  Day 
and  R.  II.  Richards  was  finally  made  public  about  March  1st  last,  and 
contains  in  tabulated  form  the  mineral  composition  and  metallic  values 
of  the  931  samples  of  sands  examined  by  the  commission. 

While  containing  much  of  value  in  relation  to  the  mineralogical 
composition  of  these  sands,  the  rei)()rt  gives  but  few  practical  sugges- 
tions for  their  mechanical  or  metallurgical  treatment  in  the  field  or  at 
the  mine.  It  gives,  however,  the  record  of  several  interesting  labora- 
tory experiments  in  the  production  of  crude  iron  and  steel  from  the 
iron  sands  by  the  use  of  the  electric  furnace. 

Since  the  close  of  the  Portland  Exposition  in  October.  1905,  there  has 
appeared  a  liost  of  actual  or  jiretended  inventors  of  machinery  to 
numipulate  the  black  sands,  and  also  a  number  of  patent  or  secret 
process  men  or  corporations,  among  which  many  have  put  forth  the 
most  extravagant  claims  of  their  ability  to  extract  metallic  as  well  as 
other  values  from  these  golden  sands,  and  manufacture  high-grade 
steel  from  the  waste;  all  to  be  done  cheaply  and  efiiectively.  All  these 
alluring  prospects  are  founded  on  the  basis  of  the  extensive,  but 
mythical,  black  sand  deposits  of  the  Pacific  Coast. 


TlIK   AIRIFEROL'S   BLACK   SANOS  OF  CALIKi>KMA.  < 

INDUSTRIAL   ASPECT. 

In  view  of  the  erroneous  ami  luisleadin^'  impressions  already  created 
by  the  fore«roin'^  conditions,  the  tollowinu'  Itrict"  statement  of  the  ori«rin. 
distril)iiti(>n.  anil  prohahle  values  of  the  heav\-  black  sands,  from  the 
stantlpoint  of  the  miner  and  metalluririst.  has  been  prepared: 

Oriffiii  n)i(l  rinjsical  Chdracfi  rs. — The  popularly  .so-called  l)lack 
sands  com[)rise  the  miinite  particles  of  the  heavy,  hard,  and  resistant 
minerals  orijjinally  existing'  in  the  rocks  that  form  the  various  j;ravel 
deposits  of  California,  as  well  as  of  an\'  other  country  where  raeta- 
morphic  and  iirneous  rocks  exist  or  predomiiuite.  and  are  found  in 
small  (piantities  in  all  watei-boi-ne  sands  and  y:ravels.  in  Ix'ach.  i-iver. 
creek,  irulch.  and  hill  deposits,  both  ancient  and  recent.  In  their 
(  ri«rinal  condition  they  form  but  a  small  percentaj^e  of  the  jrraveLs, 
varyin«r  from  0.2")  per  cent  up  t(».  but  seldom  exceedinjr.  2  per  cent; 
are  fre(|nently  distributed  all  through  the  nuiss  of  deep  jiravel  beds, 
l»ut  l)y  virtue  of  their  j^enerally  hiiih  specific  ^'ravity  occur  somewh.it 
concentrated  in  the  lower  strata  and  on  the  underlying'  bedrock.  They 
seldom,  if  ever,  become  visible  except  through  the  operations  of  the 
•Travel  miner,  when  they  underj:jo  a  partial  mechanical  concentrntion  in 
the  resultant  tailings.  The  tailings  deposits  in  their  turn  become 
further  concentrated  wherever  in  contact  with  free-tlowing  streams, 
when  by  the  removal  of  the  lighter  sands  a  concentration  may  be 
•  'tfeetetl  up  to  o  per  cent,  and  occasionally  but  rarely  up  to  10  per  cent. 

The  black  sand  of  the  beaches  represents  nature's  work  of  concen- 
tration oti  tile  sli'^ditly  auriferous  gravel  beds  of  tluviatile  origin,  as  at 
(Jold  Blutf.  in  lluml)oldt  Count.w  and  at  other  points  on  the  coast,  and 
more  rarely  from  direct  erasion  l)y  wave  action  on  the  auriferous  rocks 
of  a  coast  line.  The  concentratit)n  here,  as  depending  upon  the  surf, 
is  ever  fitful  and  changing,  but  frequently  results  in  the  formation  of 
a  thin  layer  of  almost  pui'<'  black  iron  sands,  occasionally  (|uite  imcIi  in 
gold  and  to  less  extent   in  phitiuutn. 

Any  deep  and  extensive  deposits  of  iron  sands  have  not  yet  been 
discovered  on  this  coa.st.  and  so  far  exist  only  in  the  vivid  imaginations 
of  unscrupulous  j)romoters  of  mining  schemes  or  patent  processes,  ever 
ready  to  exj>loit  a  cretlulous  public.  If.  however,  they  tlid  exist,  such 
sands  are  of  little  commercial  value  for  the  manufacture  of  iron  in 
an\-  country  where  pure  iron  ores  in  mass  are  relatively  abundant,  as 
is  the  case  even  in  California.  They  could  not,  even  under  the  most 
favorable  conditions,  compete  with  the  iron  ores  of  Lake  Superior. 

The  black  sand  of  tlie  beaches,  as  well  as  of  the  interior,  consists 
largely  of  tifaniferous  iron  as  well  as  chromite.  which  minerals  can  not 
be  successfully  eliminated  for  commercial  uses,  even  by  the  best  mag- 
netic separation.     After  concentration  and  separation,  a  l)ri([uetting  of 


8  THE  AURIFEROUS  BLACK  SANDS  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

the  sand  would  be  imperative  before  transporting  to  a  furnace.  Viewed 
from  every  .standpoint  of  eeonomio  u.se.  the  production  of  iron  or  steel 
from  these  sands  must  be  relegateil  exclusively  to  the  laboratory. 

The  l)lack  sand  derived  from  the  gravel  deposits  of  the  interior  carry, 
in  addition  to  the  gold  and  platinum  metals  of  the  beaches,  also  other 
elements  of  value,  such  as  gold  anudgaius.  nickel  iron,  various  aurifer- 
ous sulphides  and  selenides.  and  occasionally  metallic  copper.  Various 
heavy  silicates  and  oxides  are  found  mingled  with  the  ii-oii  sand,  of 
which,  however,  only  a  few  occur  in  (piantity  enough  to  be  commercially 
valuable,  such  as  zircon,  tantalite,  and  cassiterite. 

Diamonds  in  microscopic  sizes  are  occasionally  met  with  in  the  black 
sand,  and  larger  sizes  will  pr()l)al)ly  lie  found  by  working  over  many 
tailings  deposits. 

The  chief  values  in  the  stream  l)lack  sand  will  always  be  found  in 
the  gold,  the  platinum  metals,  and  the  amalgams  it  contains  in  mechani- 
cal mixture.  In  some  localities,  however,  certain  iron  niiiiecals  carry 
gold  included  within  their  mass,  in  wliich  case  the  gold  value  of  their 
resultant  black  sand  rises  far  alx)ve  the  average. 

In  general,  the  valuable  black  sand  may  be  descril)ed  as  consisting 
of  hard  minerals  ranging  in  specitic  gravity  from  8  to  7,  mingled 
with  small  percentages  of  metals  and  metallic  minerals  reaching  from 
7  to  20  in  specific  gravity.  Most  of  the  value  will  be  found  in  the 
sand  below  one  eighth  inch  diameter  of  its  grain. 

The  black  sands  as  here  described  should  be  considered  as  the  con- 
centrates of  the  gravel  deposits,  and  may  l)e  compared  with  the 
concentrates  obtained  in  milling  the  metalliferous  ores  to  which  they 
are  related  and  from  which  they  are  partly  derived.  Their  treatment 
should  in  essentials  follow  the  rules  that  experience  has  dictated  in 
the  mani]iulation  of  gold  ores. 

OUTLINE  OF  TREATMENT. 

This  will  naturally  fall  iiit(»  two  divisions:  one  of  concentration,  and 
another  of  reduction  to  values. 

It  will  not  in  general  be  practicable  to  concentrate  direct  from  the 
gravel  deposits,  except  in  the  case  of  dredge  mining,  wherein  the  first 
.stage  of  concentration,  by  grading  to  a  determined  size,  is  already 
performed. 

The  vast  tailings  deposits  occui-ring  in  California,  as  well  as  in  other 
gold-mining  states,  already  partially  concentrated,  offer  the  best  and 
most  inviting  field  for  the  recovery  of  black  sand. 

The  first  step  should  be  grading  to  a  definite  size,  by  means  of 
grizzlies,  riddles,  and  screens;  the  next  concentration  in  water  by 
gravity   to  a   definite  range  of  specific  gravity.     Both   these  lines  of 


TIIK   AIKlFKKtHS    BLACK    SAN'DS   OK   CAIJFOKMA.  9 

Operations  lUiiy  Im*  aiTMn«r«'(l  hy  tlif  use  of  the  maiiv  now  wi'll-know  ii 
incchaiiifal   ap|)liaMct's. 

In  tlir  reduction,  the  lirst  stej)  should  he  a  sepai'ation  of  tlie  niaiinetie 
Ironi  the  non-niatxnetie  minerals  of  the  sands,  after  previous  dryin«r. 
For  this  purpose  we  now  possess  several  ettiiMent  niatrnetie  separat(»i's. 

r.irt  of  the  melallie  values  may  he  i'e('oveie<l  duriu'j  tin-  process  of 
concentration. 

The  linal  rccovi-i-y  of  irold,  plat iiiiiiii.  and  aiiialiiaiii  can  nut  he 
efl\'ct<'(l  hy  incclianical  means  alone,  althou-jli  erindinL;  of  the  coai'ser 
sand  ma\  Ite  rcipiircd.  In  many  instances  a  moderate  roastini;  will  he 
re.piircd.  and  a  sid>sf(|ni'nt  treatment  liy  ehlorinat  inn  nv  \\y  i-yanide 
solution. 

In  e^ciiei'al.  it  ma\'  he  taken  I'oi'  Lii'anted  that  already  well-known 
mechanical  appliances  and  familiar  and  well-tested  milliuL:  and  mi-tal- 
lurtdcal  opei'ations  will  he  adai>1al)le  to  collect  the  heav,\'  Stinds  and 
e.\ti-ai-t  their  values  of  all  kinds. 

As  in  all  other  minimr  and  im^alluruieal  operations,  the  points  to 
he  determined  are:  l-'ii'st.  the  percenta<i:e  of  heavy  minerals  |)resent  in 
a  certain  hody  of  sands  or  »rravels;  no.xt.  the  averaj^e  values  of  these 
when  concentrated;  and.  finally.  th(>  co.st  of  their  extraction. 

Wheivver  the  values  in  the  concentrates  possihle  of  i-ecovel-y  exceed 
the  cost  incurred  in  mininl.^  concentration,  and  reduction,  and  includ- 
ing; interest  on  tlie  capital  invested,  a  prohtahle  industry  ma\  ^l•a<lually 
be  established. 

APPROXIMATE   VALUES. 

The  value  contained  in  the  heavy  sands  after  suitatile  concent  i';it  ion 
can  scarcel\'  he  stated,  even  a])proximatel\-.  as  it  will  vai".\'  within  indefi- 
nite limits.  (le|ieudinL;'  u|><»n  the  character  of  the  <ii'avel  deposit  from 
which  the  hlack  sand  is  artificially  or  natni'ally  concentrated,  the 
I'antre  of  its  concentration,  and  its  contained  minerals.  Tn  ireneral, 
the  hijrhest  value  is  found  in  the  heavy  sands  derived  from  the  ancient 
Tertiai'y  deep-jrravel  channels,  where  Lireat  chemical  changes  hy  leadi- 
ini:  and  re-precij)ilat  ion  have  originated  various  secondary  auriferous 
comi)ounds  as  yet  scarcely  known. 

In  most  instances  it  must  be  taken  foi*  granted  thai  tlu'  hlack  sands 
referi-ed  to  will  he  concentrates  from  the  tailiiiLis  oi-  waste  products  of 
irold-bearin^''  ui-avels.  ;dready  strij)ped  of  the  values  obtainable  by 
ordinai-y  methods  of  «:i-a\el  miniuL;'.  such  as  i)racticed  in  liydi'aulic, 
drift,  and  shallow  placer  operations,  amon^'  which  the  first  is  always 
most  wasteful  of  ^'old.  In  contradistinction,  the  jrold-savin^  system  of 
washing  the  jrravel.  applied  in  dredtre  minin'_'.  may  he  said  to  he  the 
most  rational  as  well  as  most  perfect  metal-savini:  method   in   i)resent 


10  THE  ALUlKEROrs  BLACK  SANDS  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

use,  and  as  a  result  the  concentrates  from  dredg:e  tailings  may  be 
expected  to  carry  but  a  low  value  in  gold  and  platinum  metals. 

The  black  sand  obtained  from  the  shallow  ravines  and  gulches  is 
generally  the  poorest,  and  when  chietly  composed  of  magnetite  and 
chromite,  often  practically  worthless. 

Subject  to  the  above  limitatioiiK  as  to  composition,  the  properly 
concentrated  heavy  sands  of  California's  gravel  deposits  may  be  said 
to  carry  values  from  $5  to  $200  jx'i-  ton.  and  probably  average  near 
$40  per  ton.  Well-authenticated  hut  rare  instances  occur,  however, 
where  concentrates  from  drift  mines  on  deep-gravel  channels  have 
exceeded  $1,000  per  ton  in  value. 

No  definite  information  is  available  relative  to  the  average  values 
of  the  concentrated  l)laek  sand  of  the  ocean  beaches,  which,  differing 
.so  much  in  physical  features,  would  require  a  method  of  treatment 
radically  different  from  that  of  the  stream  sands  referred  to  above. 

SUMMARY. 

When  fully  understood  and  intelligently  developed,  the  above 
described  heavy  sands  of  the  gravel  and  beach  deposits  can  not  fail  to 
add  nuich  to  the  mineral  wealth  of  California.  It  should,  however, 
always  be  borne  in  mind  that  these  comparatively  little  known  and 
lately  often  )nisrepresentcd  auriferous  sands  exist  not  as  a  natural 
product,  ready  for  the  miner,  the  investor,  or  the  speculator,  but  must 
be  brought  forth  by  the  intelligent  efforts  of  man,  in  this  instance 
greatly  assisted  by  tiie  always  present  and  ever  active  forces  of  nature. 


APPENDIX. 


3 


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Z  .2 


CALIFORNIA  STATE  MINING  BUREAU. 


This  institution  aims  to  he  the  chief  source  of  reliabh'  information 
ahout  the  mineral  resources  and  mining'  industries  of  California. 

It  is  encouraj^ed  in  its  work  by  the  fact  that  its  puljlications  have 
been  in  such  demand  that  larj^e  editions  are  soon  exhausted.  Tii  fad. 
copies  of  them  now  command  hiiih  prices  in  the  market. 

The  i)ul)lications.  as  .soon  as  issued,  find  tlieir  way  In  the  scientilic, 
public,  and  private  libraries  of  all  countries. 

STATE   MINERALOGIST. 

The  California  State  Minin^^  Bureau  is  under  the  supervision  of 
Hon.  Lewis  E.  Anbury.  State  Mineraloijist. 

It  is  supported  by  leiiislative  appropriations,  and  in  some  deforce 
performs  work  similar  to  that  of  the  ireoloijical  surveys  of  other  states; 
but  its  purposes  and  functions  are  mainly  practical,  the  scientific  work 
beinor  clearly  subordinate  to  the  economic  phases  of  the  mineral  field, 
as  shown  by  the  or^'anic  law  y:overninfr  the  Bureau,  wliich  is  as  follows: 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  Ix'  tlif  duty  of  said  State  Mineralogist  to  make,  facilitate,  and 
enc'ouraue  special  studies  of  the  mineral  resoiin-es  and  mineral  indnsti'ies  of  the 
State.  It  slial!  l>e  his  duty  :  To  c-ollect  statistics  concerning  the  occurrence  of  the 
ecDnoniically  iniportant  minerals  and  the  methods  jjursued  in  making  tlieir  \ahialtlo 
constituents  available  for  conunercial  use:  to  make  a  collection  of  tyitical  .i;eolo;;ical 
and  mineralojiical  specimens,  especially  those  of  economic  or  commercial  importance, 
such  collection  constituting;  the  Museum  of  the  State  Minin-r  Bureau  :  t<i  i)rovide 
a  lilirar.v  of  hooks,  reports,  drawinjis.  beariuir  ujion  the  mineral  industries,  the 
sciences  of  mineralogy  and  freology  and  the  arts  of  mininsr  and  melallur.iry.  such 
library  cnnstitulin^  the  Liiirary  of  the  State  Mining  Bureau:  to  make  a  collection 
of  luoilels.  draw  injrs.  and  descriptions  of  the  mechanical  appliances  used  in  mining 
and  metal lurjrical  [irocesses ;  to  preserve  and  so  maintain  such  collections  and  libiary 
as  to  nuike  them  .-nailable  for  reference  and  examination,  and  ojien  to  public  inspec- 
tion at  reasonai)le  hours;  to  maintain,  in  efTect,  a  bureau  of  information  (■on<'ernin}r 
the  miui'ral  industries  of  this  State,  to  consist  of  such  collections  ami  library,  and 
to  arrauy:e.  classify,  catalo^rue.  and  index  the  data  therein  contained,  in  a  manner 
to  make  the  infornuvtion  available  to  those  desiriiui  it.  and  to  pro\ide  a  custodian 
specially  qualified  to  promote  this  i)ur|)0se;  to  mal:e  a  biennial  rei^ut  to  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  .Minim;  Bureau,  settinj;  foi-th  the  imi)ortant  residts  of  his  work, 
and  to  issue  from  time  to  time  such  bulletins  as  he  \ui\y  deem  advisable  concernin;; 
the  statistics  and  technology  of  the  mineral  industries  of  this  State. 

THE   BULLETINS. 

The  field  covered  by  the  books  issued  inider  this  title  is  shown  \u 
the  list  of  publications.  Each  bulletin  deals  with  only  one  phase  of 
mininsr.  Many  of  them  are  elaborately  illustrated  with  en<rravin^s 
and  maps.  Oidy  a  nomitial  price  is  a^dvinL  in  order  that  those  who- 
ueed  them  most  may  obtain  a  copy. 


14  CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING    BUREAU. 


THE  REGISTERS  OF  MINES. 


The  Registers  of  Mines  form  practically  both  a  State  and  County 
directory  of  the  mines  of  California,  each  county  beint;  represented  in 
a  separate  pamphlet.  Those  who  wish  to  learn  the  essential  facts  about 
any  particular  mine  are  referred  to  them.  The  facts  and  figures  are 
given  in  tabular  form,  and  are  accompanied  by  a  topographical  map  of 
the  county  on  a  large  scale,  showing  location  of  each  mineral  deposit, 
towns,  railroads,  roads,  power  lines,  ditches,  etc. 

HOME  OF  THE  BUREAU. 

The  Alining  Bureau  occupies  the  north  half  of  the  third  floor  of 
the  Ferry  Building,  in  San  Francisco.  All  visitors  and  residents  are 
invited  to  inspect  the  Museum,  Library,  and  other  rooms  of  the  Bureau 
and  gain  a  personal  knowledge  of  its  operations. 

THE   MUSEUM. 

The  Museum  now  contains  over  16.000  specimens,  carefully  labeled 
and  attractively  arranged  in  showcases  in  a  great,  well-lighted  hall, 
where  they  can  be  easily  studied.  The  collection  of  ores  from  Cali- 
fornia mines  is  of  course  very  extensive,  and  is  supplemented  by  many 
cases  of  characteristic  ores  from  the  principal  mining  districts  of  the 
world.  The  educational  value  of  the  exhibit  is  constantly  increased 
by  substituting  the  best  specimens  obtainable  for  those  of  less  value. 

These  mineral  collections  are  not  only  interesting,  beautiful,  and  in 
every  way  attractive  to  the  sightseers  of  all  classes.  l)ut  are  also  educa- 
tional. They  show  to  manufacturers,  miners,  capitalists,  and  others 
the  character  and  quality  of  the  economic  minerals  of  the  State,  and 
where  they  are  found.  Plans  have  been  formulated  to  extend  the 
usefulness  of  the  exhibit  by  special  collections,  such  as  one  showing  the 
chemical  composition  of  minerals;  another  showing  the  mineralogical 
composition  of  the  sedimentary,  metamorphic,  and  igneous  rocks  of  the 
State;  the  petroleum-bearing  formations,  ore  bodies,  and  their  country 
rocks,  etc. 

Besides  the  mineral  specimens,  there  are  many  models,  maps.  ])lioto- 
graphs,  and  diagrams  illustrating  the  modern  practice  of  mining, 
milling,  and  concentrating,  and  the  technology  of  the  mineral  indus- 
tries. An  educational  series  of  specimens  for  high  schools  has  been 
inaugurated,  and  new  plans  are  being  formulated  that  will  make  the 
Museum  even. more  useful  in  the  future  than  in  the  past.  Its  popu- 
larity is  shown  by  the  fact  that  over  100.000  visitors  registered  last 
rear,  while  manv  failed  to  leave  anv  record  of  their  visit. 


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16  CALIFORNIA    STATE    MINING    BUREAU. 

THE   LIBRARY. 

This  is  the  mining'  reference  library  of  the  State,  constantly  consulted 
by  niininji"  men,  and  contains  lietween  4.000  and  5.000  volumes  of 
selected  works,  in  addition  to  the  numerous  publications  of  the  Bureau 
itself.  On  its  shelves  will  be  found  reports  on  ^eoloijy,  mineralogy,  min- 
ing, etc.,  published  by  states,  governments,  and  individuals ;  the  reports 
of  scientific  societies  at  home  and  abroad ;  encyelopa'dias,  .scientific 
papers,  and  magazines ;  mining  publications ;  and  the  current  literature 
of  mining  ever  needed  in  a  reference  library. 

Manufacturers'  catalogues  of  mining  and  milling  machinery  by  Cali- 
fornia firms  are  kept  on  file.  The  Registers  of  Mines  form  an  up-to- 
date  directory  for  investor  and  manufacturer. 

The  librarian's  desk  is  the  general  bureau  of  information,  where 
visitors  from  all  parts  of  the  world  are  ever  seeking  information  about 
all  parts  of  California. 

READING-ROOM. 

This  is  a  part  of  the  Library  Department  and  is  supplied  with  over 
one  hundred  current  publications.  Visitors  will  find  here  various 
California  papers  and  leading  mining  journaLs  from  all  over  the  world. 

The  Library  and  Reading-Room  are  open  to  the  public  from  9  a.  m. 
to  5  P.  M.  daily,  except  Sundays  and  holidays,  and  from  9  a.  m.  to 
12  M.  on  Saturdays. 

THE  LABORATORY. 

This  department  identifies  for  the  prospector  the  minerals  he  finds, 
and  tells  him  the  nature  of  the  wall  rocks  or  dikes  he  may  encounter 
in  his  workings;  but  this  department  docs  not  do  assaying  nor  compete 
with  private  a.ssayers.  The  presence  of  minerals  is  determined,  but 
not  the  percentage  present.  No  charges  for  this  service  are  made  to 
any  resident  of  the  State.  IMany  of  the  inquiries  made  of  this  depart- 
ment have  brought  capital  to  the  development  of  new  di.stricts.  ]\Itiny 
technical  questions  have  been  asked  and  an-swered  as  to  the  best  chemi- 
cal and  mechanical  processes  of  handling  ores  and  raw  material.  The 
laboratory  is  well  equipped. 

THE  DRAUGHTING-ROOM. 

In  this  room  are  prepared  scores  of  maps,  from  the  small  ones  filling 
only  a  part  of  a  page,  to  the  largest  County  and  State  maps;  and  the 
numerous  illustrations,  other  than  photographs,  that  are  constantly 
being  required  for  the  Bulletins  and  Regi.sters  of  Mines.  In  this  room, 
also,   will   be  found   a   very   complete  collection   of  maps  of  all   kinds 


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18 


CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIXIN"(i    BlliKAU. 


relating  to  the  industries  of  the  State,  and  one  of  the  important  duties 
of  the  department  is  to  make  such  additions  and  corrections  as  will 
keep  the  maps  up  to  date.  The  seeker  after  information  iniinires  here 
if  he  wislies  to  know  about  tlie  y:eolojry  or  topojiraphy  of  any  district; 
about  the  locations  of  the  new  camps,  or  positions  of  old  or  abandoned 
ones;  about  railroads,  stage  roads,  and  trails;  or  about  the  working 
drawings  of  anything  connected  with  mining. 

MINERAL  STATISTICS. 

One  of  the  features  of  this  institution  is  its  mineral  statistics.    Their 

annual  ( i|»ilatioii   by  the  State  IMining   Bui-cau   began   in   18i)8.     No 

other  State  in  the  Tnioii  attempts  so  elaborate  a  record,  expends  so 
much  lal)or  and  money  on  its  compliation,  or  secures  so  accurate  a  one. 

The  State  .Mining  Bureau  keeps  a  careful,  up-to-date,  and  reliable 
but  confidential  register  of  every  producing  mine,  mine-owner,  aiul 
mineral  industry  in  the  State.  From  them  are  secured,  under  idcilge 
of  secrecy,  reports  of -output,  etc.,  and  all  otlier  available  sources  of 
information  are  used  in  checking,  verifying,  and  supplementing  the 
information  so  gained.  This  information  is  published  in  an  animal 
talmlated.  statistical,  single-sheet  bulletin,  showing  tlie  luincral  j)ro- 
duction  l)y  both  substances  and  counties. 

TOTAL  GOLD  PRODUCT  OF  CALIFORNIA- 1848-1905. 


COUNTY  RANK   IN  GOLD  PRODUCT  IN  1905, 

While  gold  is  still  the  leading  mining  product,  its  yield  no  longer 
puts  the  greatest  gold-producing  county  in  the  first  place.  The  petro- 
leum of  Kern  County  and  the  copi)er  of  Sliasta  give  them  precedence. 
Gold  is  nu)re  widely  distributed  tlian  any  other  substance  thus  far 
mined  in  California ;  84  counties  out  of  the  57  in  the  State  showing  a 
gold  \icld  in  lilO.").  and  il  is  known  to  exist  in  several  others.    The  order 


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20 


CALIFORNIA    STATK     .MINING    lUKEAU. 


ill  r.iiik  of  the  counties  of  tlio  State,  in  the  prodnction  of  gokl  alone, 
is  at  i>i-esent  as  follows: 


1.  Nevada ..$3 

2.  Butte  2 

3.  Amador 2 

4.  Calaveras 1 

o.  Tuohiinne 1 

♦i.  Keni 1 

7.  Siskiyou. 

8.  Trinitv 

».  Shasta".    

10.  Sacramento  ... 

11.  Placer 

12.  Sierra    

13.  S.  Bernardino. 


,179, 
60 
445. 
,73« 
.291, 
,160, 
803, 
6(K), 
684, 
66H, 
597. 
51 
473, 


715 

50i» 
81.') 
816 
26 
971 
035 
844 
952 
382 
793 
303 
893 


14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 
26.  Los  Angeles.  . 


Mariposa  .   . 
Kl  Dorado  .. 

Yuba 

Mono 

Plumas 

Inyo 

San  Diego  . . 

Madera    

Stanislaus  .. 
Humboldt  .. 

Fresno  

Riverside 


$.386,380 

384,735 

324,135 

308.884 

283,810 

135,959 

109,712 

50,867 

.50,000- 

45,824 

40,037 

35,690 

15,035 


27. 
28. 
29. 
30. 
31. 
32. 
33. 
34. 


Del  Norte $10,5^ 

Monterey 4,000 

Tulare.." 2,300 

Ventura 1,200 

Santa  Barbara.  725 

Alpine .575 

San  L\iisObispo  300 

Mendorino    ..-  40 

Undistributed.  147,500 


Total 


!i!19.197,W3 


TOTAL  MINERAL  PRODUCT  OF  CALIFORNIA   FOR   1905. 

Thi'  i'dlliiwiim  talili'  shows  the  y'lvld  aiul  \alii(_'  oi'  iniiu'ral  suhstaiu-es 
of  Califoniia  for  190r).  as  per  returns  received  at  the  State  Alining 
Bureau.  San  P^rancisco.  in  answer  to  iiiquirics  sent  to  producers: 

Quantity.  Value. 

Asbestos 112  tons  $2,625 

Asphalt - 40.304     '•  28.5,290 

Bituminous  Rock .'. 24,753    "  60,436 

Borax.., 46,334    "  1,019,158 

Cement' 1,265,553  bbls.  1,791,916 

Chrome  40  tons  600 

Clays  (Brick) 286,618  M  2,273,786 

Clays  (Pottery) 1:^3,805  tons  1.30,146 

Coal 46,500     "  144,500 

Copper  _ 16,997,489  lbs.  2.6;50,605 

Fuller's  Earth 1,344  tons  38,000 

Gems - 148,500 

Glass  Sand 9,257    "  8,121 

(iold 19,197,043 

Granite 228,788  cu.  ft.  3.53,837 

Gypsum 12,8.50  tons  54,500 

Infusorial  Earth 3,000    "  15,000 

Load 533,680  lbs.  25,083 

Lime 616,995  bbls.  5.55,322 

Limestone 192,749  tons  323,325 

Lithia  .Mica.. , 25     "  276 

Macadam 1,440,455     "  942,503 

.Magnesite  (Crude) 3,933     "  16,221 

Marble 73,303cu.  ft.  129,450 

Mineral  Paint ...             754  tons  4,025 

Mineral  Water  2,194,1.50  gals.  638,700 

Natural  Gas 148,345  M  cu.  f t.  102,479 

Paving  Blocks 3,408  M  134,347 

Petroleum ...34,275.701  bbls.  9,007,820 

Platinum 200  oz.  3.320 

Pyrites    15,503  tons  63,958 

(Quicksilver 24,655  Hasks  886,081 

Kubble 1,183,802  tons  774.267 

Salt.. 77,118     "  141,925 

Sandstone 302,813  cu.  ft.  483,268 

Silver... 678,494 

Slate... 4,000  squares  40,000 

Soapstone 300  tons  3,000 

Soda 15.000    "  22,r>00 

Tungsten. 52    "  18,800 


Total  value $43,069,227 


CALIFORNIA    STATE    MIXING    BIREALV 


O 


21 


MINING  BUREAU  PUBLICATIONS. 

Publications  of  tliis  liurcaii  will  l)e  sent  on  ivceipt  of  tlio  iv<|uisite 
amount  and  postayro.  Only  stamps,  coin  or  money  orders  will  he 
aec('|>ted  in  payment.     (.1//  imhlii  ations  not  mcntioiud  arc  exhnustvd.) 

Attention  is  respectfully  i-alled  to  that  portion  of  Seetion  S.  amend- 
ment to  the  Mining;  liureau  Act.  approv(>d  March  10,  1SJU3,  which 
states : 

"Tlif  Hoard  (Board  of  Trastees)  is  herein-  empowered  to  fix  a  price 
upon,  .ind  to  dispose  of  to  the  i)uhli(',  at  such  i)ricc.  ;iiiy  .iiid  .ill  pub- 
lications of  the  Bureau,  iucludiuLr  reports,  bullet  ins.  maps.  i-e«;isters, 
etc.  The  sum  derived  from  such  disposition  must  be  accounted  foi-  jiiid 
used  as  a  revolvin^r  printinj,'  and  publishing'  fund  for  other  reports, 
bulletins,  maps,  rejristers.  etc.  The  prices  fixed  must  approximate  the 
actual  cost  of  printin<r  and  issuinir  the  respective  reports,  bulletins, 
maps,  registers,  etc..  without  reference  to  the  co.st  of  obtaininj^  and 
preparing  the  information  eml)raced  therein." 

Price.    Postacp. 

It.>I>ort   XI— 1802.   Fii-st    Hi.-nnial .?1   fMl         $0  15 

\lv\Kn-\    XIII— ISOC.  Tliinl   I'.i.-nnia! 1    (Ml  'JO 

Hullctin  No.     it — "(Jold  .Mill  I'ractic.-s  in  Califoinia"    (3(1  edition)..        ."»0  04 

IJulIotMi  No.     !» — "Mine  iMaina^e.  I'umps.  Etc.."  bound (iO  08 

Bulletin   Xo.   15 — "Mai)  of  <>il  ^'il.v  Oil  Fields.  Fresno  County.  Cali- 
fornia"            0."»  02 

I5iilli-iin    No.   l(i — "Genesis    of    Petroleum    and    Asplialtuni    in    Cali- 

Ininia"    (3d    edition) ."{O  03 

Kulli'tin   Xo.  Ii3 — "Coijper    IJesources   of   California" ."»0  12 

bulletin   Xo.  24 — "Saline    Heposits   of   California" ."»0  10 

HuUt'tin   Xo.  27 — "(Juicksiher  Uesources  of  California" 7.")  08 

Pullt'tin   No.  30 — "Iiil)!ioH:ra))h.v  Uelatiii?  to  the  (ieolojr.v.  Pala?ontol- 

og.v  and  Mineral  Resources  of  California."  im-hidinL;  List  of  Maps.        50  10 

Bulletin   -No.  31 — "Chemical  Anal.vsis  of  California  Petroleum" 02 

Bulletin  Xo.  32 — "Production  and  Use  of  California  Petroleum"...        7.">  08 

Bulletin   Xo.  .Sr — "(iold   Dred-iu}.'  in   California"    (2d  edition) ."lO  OS 

Bulletin    .No.  .37 — "(iems    and     .Jewelers'     .Materials    of    California" 

( 2d    edition) ."O  08 

Itulleiin    .Ni).  3>i — "Structural  and  Industrial  Materials  of  California"       7.">  20 

Bulletin   .No.  .3!t— "Mineral   Production  of  California"— ]'.>04 02 

Bulletin   Xo.  41— ".Mines  and  Minerals  of  California"— 1!M>4 04 

Bulletin    Xo.   42 — "Mineral    Production   of   California" — 1!>0." 02 

P.iilieiin    No.   4.3 — ".Mineral    Production    of    California    for    .Nineteen 

V.-ars"    02 

Bulletin   .No.  44 — "Mines  and  Minerals  of  California" — liio.' 04 

(iold  Production  in  California  from  1.S48  to  V.KIC 02 

Uey;ister  of  Mines,  with  .Maji.  .\mador  Count.v 2."i  08 

Register  of  .Mines,  with  M;ui.  Butte  Count.v 2.">  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  .Map.  HI  Dorado  t.'ount.v 2.j  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  .Map.  In.vo  Count.v 2.1  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  Map.  Kern  Count.v -'*  08 

Register  of  .Mines,  with  Maj).  Lake  Count.v ^'-j  ^8 

Register  of  Mines,  with  .Map.  Marii>osa  Count.v 2.j  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  Map.  Neva<la  Count.v 2.j  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  Map.  Placer  Count.v 2.j  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  .Map,  San  Bernardino  Count.v 2.j  08 

Register  of  Mines,  with  Map.  San  Diego  Count.v 25  08 

Register  of  .Mines,  with  Map.  Santa  Barbara  County j-|[»  OS 

Register  of  -Mines,  with  .Map,  Shasta  County --J  08 


22  CALIFORNIA    STATK    MIXING    BUREAU. 

MINING  BUREAU  PUBLICATIONS— CojUinuerf. 

Piico.     Postage. 

RpfristiM-  of  .Mines,  wilh  Map.  Si.Mi-a  Couiity .$()  :.'.">  .^U  OS 

Koj;isr('r  o(  Mines,  witii  Maj).   Siskiyou  Connty 25  08 

Itefristei-  of  .Mines,  with  Map,  Trinity  County 2."  08 

licfrisler  of  Mines,  with  Map.  Tuohinine  County 2."  08 

Kefrisler  of  Mines,  with  Ma)).  Yuba  County '2't  08 

Re;i;ister  of  Oil  Wells,  with  .Map.  Los  Aiiireles  City .T)  02 

M:\\>  of  .Mother   Lode (I."  02 

Mai>  of  l>esert  Uejrion  of  California lU  02 

Map  Showing:  Copper  Deposits  iu  California 05  02 

Map  of  Calaveras  County 25  03 

Map  of  IMuinas  ( "ounty 2.")  03 

.Mineral  and  Uelief  Mao  of  California 2.".  05 

Map  of  Forest  Reserves  in  California    (mounted) ">(i  08 

Map  of  Forest  Reserves  in  California   (unmounted  I HO  OG 

Samples  (limited  to  three  at  one  time)  of  any  mineral  found  in  the 
State  may  be  sent  to  the  Bureau  for  identification,  and  tlic  same  will 
be  classified  free  of  charge.  It  must  ])e  understood,  liowcvci-.  that  no 
assays,  or  quantitative  determinations,  will  be  made.  Samples  should 
be  in  lump  form  if  possible,  and  the  outside  of  packajre  should  be 
marked  plainly  with  name  of  sender,  postoffice  address,  etc.  A  letter 
should  ac('om])any  sam'ples.  and  a  stamp  shoidd  be  inclosed  for  rejdy. 


LAW  RELATING  TO  MISREPRESENTATION  OF  MINES  BY  ANY  OFFICER  OF 
A  CORPORATION  TRANSACTING  BUSINESS  IN  CALIFORNIA. 

Section  1.  Any  superintendent,  director,  secretary,  manaiicr.  agent, 
or  other  officer,  of  any  corporation  formed  or  existing  under  the  laws 
of  this  State,  or  transacting  business  in  the  same,  and  any  person  pre- 
tending or  holding  himself  out  as  such  superintendent,  director,  secre- 
tary, manager,  agent  or  other  officer,  who  shall  willfully  subscribe, 
sign,  endorse,  verify,  or  otherwi.se  a.ssent  to  the  publication,  either 
generally  or  privately,  to  the  stockholders  or  other  persons  dealing  with 
such  corporation  or  its  stock,  any  untrue  or  willfully  and  fraudulently 
exaggerated  report,  prospectus,  account,  statement  of  operations, 
values,  business.  profitvS,  expenditures  or  prospects,  or  other  paper  or 
document  intended  to  produce  or  give,  or  having  a  tendency  to  produce 
or  give,  to  the  shares  of  stock  in  such  corporation  a  greater  value  or  less 
apparent  or  market  value  than  they  really  possess,  or  with  the  intention 
of  defrauding  any  particular  person  or  persons,  or  the  public,  or 
per.sons  generally,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  felony,  and  on  conviction 
thereof  shall  be  punished  by  imprisonment  in  State  prison,  or  a 
county  jail,  not  exceedings  two  years,  or  by  fine  not  exceeding  five 
thousand  dollars,  or  by  both. 

Sec.  2.  All  Acts  and  parts  of  Acts  in  conflict  with  this  Act  are 
hereby  repealed. 

A  Improved  :\Iarch  22,  1905. 


THIS  BOOK   IS  DUE   ON  THE   LAST   DATE 
STAMPED   BELOW 


m^  M 


BOOKS   REQUESTED   BY   ANOTHER   BORROWER 
ARE  SUBJECT  TO  RECALL  AFTER  ONE  WEEK. 
RENEWED   BOOKS  ARE  SUBJECT  TO 
IMMEDIATE   RECALL 


SEP  2  8  1978 

OCTl    RtC'O 

RECE  •; 

APR     6  1981 

PECEIVED 
JUN  2  5  1981 

^HYS  SCI  LIBRARY 


LIBRARY,   UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

Book  Slip-Series  458 


3   1175  00646  9897 


l6U90h 

Call  Number: 

TN2h 

California.   Dept.   of 
natural  resources.   Di- 
vision of  mines. 

C3 
A3 
no.h^ 

PHYSICAL 

SCIENCES 

LIBRARY 


164904 


